Suggestion on finish

[SS427]

Any of you other resto guys have a good technique for duplicating the transparent brownish shalac looking finish that was applied on many bare steel parts. I have a Turbo 400 dipstick tube with this finish on it and have come across many other parts just like it but have been unable to duplicate it to my satisfaction. Thanks

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I have used a product called 'Metal Protective Coating' which comes in a spray can. It keeps the part from rusting, and after a few weeks starts looking brownish. I tried it on my exhaust manifolds too, it burned off in about 3 minutes. I didn't use it on too many parts though, went with the natural steel paint instead - mainly things like pedals, inside the trunk on the 1/4's, sway bars, ect...
M

[SS427]

Thanks Marlin, anyone else have any ideas?

[micky69396]

I have a paint that looks like black zinc,(not phos) that if mixed with a clear binder can give that look.

[Edited by micky69396 (02-07-2002 at 12:18 PM).]

[jon rand]

I have a friend that works in the automotive plating business he said those parts are run through a phosphate bath then through oil and ran through the bake oven. He said its simply a cheap rust preventative. It's done to parts when auto makers dont want the cost of plating or painting. Hope this helps

[SS427]

Maybe thats exactly what it is, just a baked on oil finish. I know it comes off very easily with a lacquer rag.

I have tried dipping parts in a 400 degree dirty oil bath which is great for darkening and treating cast iron parts like spindles. Never tried it on bare steel parts, I may try that and see what it does. Thanks guys.

[Kurt S]

Did you coat the parts after the hot oil dip?

[SS427]

No. The hot oil penetrates deep in the pores of the cast iron and makes for a pretty good seal. I doubt anything would stick. I do coat other bare steel parts with Bo-Shield which is a wax based product made for Boeing Aircraft and that works excellent.